Authors IDFOC

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1/21 Thread on the Terms of Reference (lifted from the Press Release for those who haven't read it yet). @BerryCathal @GCraughwell @RACO_DF @ARCOIreland @pdforra


2/21 In addressing the detailed tasks as provided for in its ToR, the Commission will have regard to immediate requirements while also seeking to develop a longer term vision for beyond 2030.

3/21 This is against a backdrop of the high-level Defence goal which is to provide for the military defence of the State, contribute to national and international peace and security and fulfil all other roles assigned by Government.

4/21 This fits within the broader context of the protection of Ireland’s defence and security interests nationally and internationally.

5/21 The Commission’s approach should aim to ensure that the @DefenceForces will remain agile, flexible and adaptive in responding to dynamic changes in the security environment, including new and emerging threats (such as from climate change) and technologies.
GOVERNMENT
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1/16 A thread on air policing, by which we mean the use of interceptor aircraft in peacetime to maintain the integrity of our airspace (as opposed to ‘air superiority’ or ‘intercepting’ or some of the other loosely related terms that are used). @IRLDeptDefence @BerryCathal @DFPRB

2/16 So, what does that really mean? It means using military assets to maintain the safety of our airspace from interference or other disruption. The crucial factor, however, is this is a peacetime function. @BerryCathal @GCraughwell @CharlieFlanagan @nealerichmond @lichamber

3/16 Fighter aircraft are used in the interceptor role because, in the same way that peacekeeping is not a job for soldiers but only soldiers can do it, only fighter aircraft have the requisite capabilities... @SorcaClarke_TD @GaryGannonTD @lawlessj @donlav @LauraMcGonigle @yfg

4/16 ...in terms of physical performance and onboard sensors to carry out this duty practically.

Let’s see what that might actually mean in practice for Ireland 👇
@Fiona_Kildare @davidstantontd @MattShanahanTD @mickthehack @Edward__Burke @KennethMcDonagh @jjsalmo @tchukstr

5/15 Taking the example of Russian (it’s usually Russian in this locale) military aircraft flying through the Shannon FIR (or Flight Information Region) off the west coast and all the international air traffic that that automatically involves. @ahernegerald @PeterOHalloran1
AIRCRAFT
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1/18 Further thread on Air Policing in peacetime and implications for Irish foreign policy: there are so many different options available for air policing on the market that to go into all of them is unrealistic and ends up in a 'top trumps' style contest. @BerryCathal @donlav


2/18 That’s before you get to the whole argument about twin engine vs single engine safety overwater argument. For now, it’s enough to put forward the options in broad outline.

Option 1: Surface-to-Air missiles only

This option is included because there’s always someone...

3/18 ...who will say ‘just get missiles’, because they think that this will be somehow cheaper. Modern long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, however, are not significantly less expensive than fighter jets. They also have an issue in how many times you can use them.

4/18 They have an even bigger issue in that your solution to what may only be an airliner with a broken transponder is to blow it out of the sky.
@ConorHogarty @mupper2 @kevpipps

5/18 While there are many good reasons why the @defenceforces should upgrade its SAM capability, these are largely related to the blended warfare now being rolled out globally with the increasing use of basic drones and larger unmanned aerial systems. @conormlally @RuthMCasey
ECONOMY